Not guilty.

That was the plea from alleged pedophile 19-year-old Michael Downs of Valencia.

According to officials at the San Fernando Superior Court, Downs made his plea at his arraignment this morning shortly before being scheduled for a preliminary hearing setting on March 5.

Downs is facing 34 felony sex related charges and one misdemeanor count involving 15 minor female victims.

Special Victims Bureau Detective Rich Simmons says he began his investigation involving Downs the second week of December when victims reported the crimes to unnamed school officials. By December 15 Simmons felt he had enough information to take Downs into custody at his school Bowman High.

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Downs is alleged to have met his victims at the Westfield Valencia Town Center and corresponded with them on internet social networking sites including Facebook and Formspring.

The alleged sexual incidents occurred over a 19-month period between May 2010 until he was taken into custody in December 2011.

Downs’ bail has been set at $1.8 million.

Follow the coverage of the Downs charges by clicking here.